11/22/16

OK, OK, I know that Tim Tebow did not lead the Arizona Fall League in hitting, or slugging, or on base percentage. But I'm stuck commuting in from Suffolk County on the LIRR (which I now refer to as the Trump Train).It's a really long ride, and my thoughts wander: and Tim Tebow divinely popped into my head. So it is article time.So what was his tally, people? I'm so glad you asked.Tebow decided to give other AFL players an offensive head start, going zero for his first 13. Nonetheless, Tebow (Tim Terrific):1. Outhit fellow Met Matt Oberste .192 to .184.2. Had an on base % of .296, 88 points higher than Oberste.3. Struck out 2 less times than fellow Met Champ Stuart in roughly the same plate appearances.4. Was only 9th worst in the league in batting average.5. Had a higher on base % than 19 other AFL hitters.6. Had a .362 OBP once you exclude his first 13 plate appearance adjustment period.7. Had a scintillating .405 OBP in his last 10 games, a rate which I would gladly take from any Mets starting position player in 2017.8. Did all that despite being dead last in playing experience.BOTTOM LINE: He greatly outperformed expectations, while outperforming a bunch of other seasoned minor league AFL players. And he was firing on all cylinders as the league season ended.I think he will outperform in 2017, too. He always has.

The only (BIG) difference between Rivera/Sewald and Tebow is, if competent enough to make the bigs, Tebow is a real gate attraction to many. Wendell Ladner, when alive and on the LI Nets basketball team in the 1970's, was a HUGE fan favorite, while clearly not more than a marginal player. People would come out just to see Tebow.

I am realistic, and only would want him on the Mets if he develops major league talent...better than Eric Campbell.

Mack, the ride in was made much shorter because I was writing the article on the train :) it is good to be distracted.

TJ Rivera could still become a Campbell but I think he is much better.

I'd be the first to trash Tebow if he flopped. Drop out those first 13 at bats and he actually had a fine AFL, and almost none of the guys from Columbia and below, who played competitively in 2016, would have come close to what he did. I'd have been stunned if he did any better.